Hemoglobin level and XRCC1 polymorphisms to select patients with locally advanced rectal cancer candidate for neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy with concurrent capecitabine and a platinum salt.

A platinum salt (oxaliplatin or cisplatin) is widely used to enhance chemoradation (CRT) response. The potential of cisplatin in neoadjuvant CRT for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) has not been fully investigated. Consecutive patients with histologically confirmed LARC were treated with standard pelvic radiotherapy and concurrent cisplatin plus capecitabine (CisCape CRT).

Ku70, Ku80, and sClusterin: A Cluster of Predicting Factors for Response to Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation Therapy in Patients With Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Purpose: The identification of predictive biomarkers for neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is a current clinical need. The heterodimer Ku70/80 plays a critical role in DNA repair and cell death induction after damage. The aberrant expression and localization of these proteins fail to control DNA repair and apoptosis.

Technical solutions to reduce mediastinal irradiation in young patients undergoing treatment for lymphomas: Preliminary experience.

This study aims at optimizing treatment planning in young patients affected by lymphoma (Stage II to III) by using an inclined board (IB) that allows reducing doses to the organs at risk. We evaluated 19 young patients affected by stage I to III lymphomas, referred to our Department for consolidation radiotherapy (RT) treatment on the mediastinum. Patients underwent 2 planning computed tomography (CT) scans performed in different positions: flat standard position and inclined position.

Acute and late toxicity after three-dimensional conformal image-guided radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer.

We evaluated the clinical impact of a high definition micro-multileaf collimator and a linac-integrated cone-beam computed tomography in 142 patients treated with conformal radiotherapy for localized prostate cancer to a total dose of 76 Gy. Details on treatment toxicity and tumour control were collected. The 3 years biochemical relapse-free survival was 90%.

Cone-beam computed tomography in hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy for brain metastases.

Background: To assess interfraction translational and rotational setup errors, in patients treated with image-guded hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy, immobilized by a thermoplastic mask and a bite-block and positioned using stereotactic coordinates.

Methods: 37 patients with 47 brain metastases were treated with hypofractionated stererotactic radiotherapy. All patients were immobilized with a combination of a thermoplastic mask and a bite-block fixed to a stereotactic frame support.

Image-guided-radiotherapy retreatment of spine metastasis: a case report and radiobiological evaluation.

Aims And Background: The present case report describes vertebral metastasis retreatment using kilovoltage cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for setup error correction, in order to improve target irradiation and prevent spinal cord toxicity. We evaluated the feasibility of the second radiation therapy course on the overlapping treatment volume.

Methods And Study Design: A patient with metastatic kidney cancer, previously treated to the tenth dorsal vertebra with conventional radiation planning (21 Gy; 3 x 7 Gy), underwent retreatment.

Retro-orbital granulocytic sarcoma: case report.

Granulocytic sarcomas (chloromas) are rare extra-medullary tumors arising from primitive granulocytic cells. The term "chloroma" is derived from the Greek word chloros (green), and it refers to the frequently greenish color of the tumor, which is due to the presence and oxidation of the myeloperoxidase enzyme. These tumors can arise de novo or can be associated with other myeloid disorders, such as acute or chronic myeloid leukemia, myeloproliferative or myelodysplastic conditions.

Analysis of salivary flow and dose-volume modeling of complication incidence in patients with head-and-neck cancer receiving intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

Purpose: To investigate dose-volume effects of salivary flow and the functional recovery over time, using salivary function data and different models of normal tissue complication probability (NTCP).

Methods And Materials: A total of 59 patients with head-and-neck cancer treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) were analyzed in the present study. The toxicity was evaluated using the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) scale and salivary flows, both unstimulated (USF) and stimulated (SSF).

Hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy in combination with whole brain radiotherapy for brain metastases.

Background: The efficacy and toxicity of hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) in combination with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), for the treatment of 1-4 brain metastases, using a non invasive fixation of the skull, was investigated.

Methods: Between 04/2001 and 01/2006 30 patients with 44 brain metastases underwent irradiation. Every patient received WBRT (10 x 3 Gy); 41/44 lesions received HSRT boost with a median dose fraction of 6 Gy, the fractionation schemes were 3 x 6 Gy and 4 x 8 Gy; a median total dose of 18 Gy was delivered to the tumor isocenter.

A study of the effect of setup errors and organ motion on prostate cancer treatment with IMRT.

Purpose: To assess the influence of setup errors and organ motion in terms of the probability of tumor control and normal-tissue complications by tumor control probability and normal-tissue complication probability.

Methods And Materials: Twelve patients were treated for prostate cancer with intensity-modulated radiation therapy. Two orthogonal portal images were taken daily.

Comparison of different external beam treatment techniques to deliver high-dose irradiation to local recurrent rectal carcinoma.

Aims And Background: Treatment of local-regional recurrent rectal carcinoma is a challenging problem, and local control may be dose dependent; doses should probably exceed 60 Gy. Our aim was to verify the possibility to deliver 66 Gy to the target, but less than 35 Gy to the small bowel, comparing different 3D irradiation techniques, in a selected group of patients.

Methods: Five patients with local recurrent rectal carcinoma were selected as representative of different presentations of the disease.